Chapter 37

Jack's eyes gently fluttered as they slowly opened. He noticed he was still in the hospital. Suddenly he turned his head towards Rose's bed and almost jumped out his skin when he saw her lying there. He leaned forward and gripped onto her hand. She looked so peaceful lying there. Her eyes were closed tightly but her skin was warm and her breathing was slow.

"Rose?" Jack leaned towards her and stroked her forehead, sliding her hair from her eyes. "Can you hear me?"

Jack was interrupted by a noise coming from the door. He looked up and saw the doctor standing there. He forced himself to leave Rose's side and stood up so he was in front of the doctor.

"Mr Dawson, the operation went very well. We managed to locate the bleed and stopped it. It should heal up nicely." Jack felt a sense of relief wash over him.

"So, she'll be okay?" Jack asked, still unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"She should make a full recovery." The doctor smiled. "But I believe one of the nurses informed you about the baby?"

Jack nodded.

"I'm very sorry Mr Dawson. But on the grand scheme of things, I believe it was more important that you're wife survived. I know that doesn't make it any easier but she had to be our priority." The doctor explained.

"No, I understand. You're right. There's always time for more children. But I don't think I could have coped if I'd have lost her." Jack said, turning back to her.

"Exactly. I don't see any reason why she can't go on to conceive again in the future. Although, I would encourage waiting until she's fully recovered before trying again." He advised. "She should hopefully awaken in the next few hours."

Jack nodded as the doctor excused himself, leaving him alone with Rose. He didn't want to leave her in case she woke up but now that the doctor had told him it would probably be a few hours before she did, he decided to go outside for some air.

Stepping into the warm sunshine, Jack brushed his hair back from his face before lifting his cigarettes from his inside pocket and lighting one. He sat down on a bench and took a long drag of the cigarette whilst trying to replay everything over again. He sat outside for about fifteen minutes, lighting one cigarette after another.

"Jack?"

Jack looked up and gasped as he saw Grace in front of him.

"Grace? What are you doing here?" Jack dropped his cigarette on the ground and stubbed it out with his shoe.

"I heard about Rose. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Grace lied. "Jack? Your face." She knew all about it. She had been there but she had to act shocked. She had heard about Jack and Rose's honeymoon plans and when she had heard from a friend that they had seen him in Santa Monica, she went looking for them. She had paid William, the man who had attacked them, to scare them off. Maybe make Rose believe she wasn't safe with Jack but she hadn't counted on this happening. She had tried to get on with things but finally guilt had taken over and she had come to the hospital hoping to see Jack.

"How did you hear about it?" Jack looked at her.

"Oh, you know these little towns. Everyone knows everything about everyone." Grace forced a smile.

Jack looked at her strangely. "Well I should be getting back to Rose."

"How is she?" Grace stood, clearly concerned.

"She should be alright. She's been in and out of surgery since she got here." Jack sighed.

"But they think she's going to be alright?" Grace seemed urgent in her questioning which concerned Jack.

"I hope so. Although our baby didn't survive." Jack waited for a reaction.

"What?" Grace looked at him in shock. She wasn't expecting this. "Your baby?"

"Yes." Jack snapped. "Our baby. Rose was 2 months pregnant but the trauma she suffered to her stomach was too much for the baby to handle."

Grace's eyes began to well up.

"Why are you sad Grace? I'm surprised you're not jumping for joy about this. Given the trouble you've caused for us in the past" Jack argued.

"You think I would wish this on you?" Grace sobbed.

"I wouldn't put it past you." Jack spat, before turning away from her.

"Jack, please." Grace begged, trying to grab onto his arm but Jack yanked it from her.

"Where were you last night?" Jack sneered.

"What?" Grace stared at him. Surely he didn't know about her involvement in this.

Jack couldn't force the dreams that he had been having for the past few weeks from his mind. They had gotten worse as they reached California and Jack felt like he should have paid attention to the warnings in those dreams and the voice...the voice had sounded like Grace. He couldn't help but think she must have had something to do with what happened the previous night.

"Look Grace. I don't know what happened to us last night or who did it but I have a feeling that you know more than you're letting on. I'm going to go back to my wife now. I'm giving you the opportunity to disappear. Leave us alone. Never come near us again. I'm warning you now Grace. If you don't and you cause us any more problems, I will take matters into my own hands. Do you understand me?" Jack warned, sternly.

Grace nodded slowly. She looked at him in appreciation before finally walking away from him, knowing that had to be the last time she would see him.

Jack watched her go before finally walking back to the main entrance of the hospital. He checked his pocket watch and realised he had been outside for an hour. He rushed inside, taking the stairs two at a time concerned that something may have happened whilst he'd been gone. As he finally got to the floor she was on, he rushed down the corridor towards her room, throwing open the door and staring in shock at the sight that greeted him.